Re: OUR CHAMPIONS

[Guest guest]

I don't know how big of a thing you meant this to be, but it is magnanimous

for me. It couldn't have come at a better time. Here's my acceptance speech:

Today was such a rough day for me. Emotionally taxing. I talked to my

ex-boyfriend for the first time in a long time. He had abused me in our

relationship and I left him. But after talking to him I had mixed feelings.

He was begging me to come back and I refused and said that I was quite happy

in my new relationship, that I was falling in love with an incredible man who

loves me unconditionally, and that I enjoy my new friends in body building

and fitness...a new lifestyle (mind you he's 240 and 5'10 " ). I felt bad

because even talking to him was against all that I had committed to for

myself. I committed to not going back to him, not talking to him, not seeing

him ever again. I felt good that I refused to go back and refused to " be

friends " with him as he requested. I did sell him on Body for

Life...especially since I was wearing my new BFL t-shirt at the gym. But I

felt so drained and upset after seeing him. Old memories and fears coming

back to scare me.

This Challenge is what gave me my power back and built my self esteem to what

it is today. I can appreciate myself for my own accomplishments and I don't

look to others for validation. I enjoy those biceps in the morning. It was my

patience, persistence and hard work, not to mention sweat and tears and

broken nails, that got me to where I am now. =)

Then coming home to this award for and I just lifted me right out of

the sadness I was feeling. In fact I broke down crying...a good crying. I

realized that I have come so far in such a short amount of time. If I had

never done this challenge I'd probably be back with him as his punching bag.

This Challenge has more than transformed my life; it has saved my life.

When I got home, I called and vented about what happened to make sure

I'm not going insane. , you are best! I'm am so honored to have you

as my friend. You are there for me and the rest of this group. When we

talked this weekend at our little celebration over your beer and my obscenely

potent mixed drink (11 different liquors and 3 juices all in one drink) you

were so humble and feeling so undeserving of all that we say about you. I

constantly have to remind you how much this group loves YOU!!!! You are a

true leader. You are the back bone of this group. Without you I would not

be as committed to this group, to this lifestyle, and to this next challenge.

I would not have made the goals I have made for this next challenge. I owe

my continued success and the fulfillment of my dreams, in part, to you. You

are a special person and far more deserving of this award than me. I know

your brain is saying it isn't so, but I'm telling you to tell your brain

" shut up! " " Hear me now and listen to me later. " You are awesome ,

and I hope I'm the first person you call when Bill shows up in your driveway

in 15 days! You are a winner. You are a Champion. You are blessed with

precious gifts of talent and creativity and a compassion for all those you

come in contact with. You make such an incredible impression on all those you

grace your presence with. And I got to be one of those people.

{{{{{big hug}}}}} I love you Man....and I don't want your Bud-Lite...I hate

that horse piss...give me my Killian's!

I think we should have our picture taken together. And if you would do me

the honor of working out with me one more time....I would be indebted to you

for life. Thank you for being you. Thank you for accepting me as I am.

Thanks for being my friend and my Drill Sergeant.

Thank you Angelo for this platform of motivation and inspiration. It was you

who created this madness! I owe meeting and the rest my new friends

and family to you. Thank you Angelo {{{hug}}} Thank you for this award and

for thinking about me.

Thank you group for being there for me and putting up with my ramblings, my

senseless conversation, and my idiosyncrasies.

*I feel like I'm at the Academy Awards....and the music is starting to play,

so I'll stop pulling my own string and tell Chatty to say good night!*

Good night everyone and Thank you! See you in Vegas...skivvies and all!

Your Commanding Officer and friend to the end,

[Guest guest]

Oh great, now I'm crying!!!!!!!! Sorry no speech from me for now! I have

to absorb this until I feel worthy enough. Sorry bout that, right now I

really don't! I appreciate you guys way too much and respect each and every

one of you from the bottom of my heart!

Each of you are a petal of the flower that makes up my inspiration. I am

nothing but a naked stem without each of you! I feel as though the wind is

blowing on us and spreading our energy across the hearts of many as a sticky

pollen that one will never forget for a lifetime. This group has been and

hopefully continue to be one of the most important things in my life! True

heros that make life worth living! The magnet that draws me to be online more

then I have ever been! I think of each of you throughout the day many more

times I could ever mention!

As I sit on this virtual door step to my house waiting for my friend to

come home as if my dog had run away.... I wait for each of you.....